Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Seismic Survey Design and Impacts to Maternal Polar Bear Dens
| Published date | 18 February 2020 |
| Citation | 85 FR 8887 |
| Record Number | 2020-03132 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | Fish And Wildlife Service |
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 32 (Tuesday, February 18, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 18, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 8887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03132]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R7-ES-2019-N138; FF07CAMM00-FX-ES111607MRG01]
Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Seismic Survey Design and
Impacts to Maternal Polar Bear Dens
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of a peer-reviewed scientific manuscript
and associated model; notice of public webinars; and request for public
comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the
availability of a peer-reviewed scientific manuscript and associated
model regarding seismic survey design and potential impacts to maternal
polar bear dens. This manuscript contains information, including a
methodology and model that may be used for evaluating the effects of
future seismic survey proposals for their potential impacts to maternal
polar bear dens. We are also announcing public webinars that will
provide an overview of the manuscript and model and respond to
questions. We request public comments on the value of the model and the
associated methodology described in the peer-viewed scientific
manuscript in assisting in the evaluation of the effects of future
seismic survey proposals for their potential impacts to maternal polar
bear dens.
DATES: Comments will be accepted on or before April 20, 2020.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the publication by any of the
following methods:
Internet: View or download the document at https://www.fws.gov/alaska/pages/marine-mammals/polar-bear.
U.S. mail: Send a request via mail to Marine Mammals Management,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, MS 341,
Anchorage, Alaska 99503.
Email: Send a request via email to [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marine Mammals Management via the U.S.
mail or email address above, by telephone at 1-800-362-5148, or via the
Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service), announce the availability of the following peer-reviewed
scientific manuscript regarding seismic survey design and impacts to
maternal polar bear (Ursus maritimus) dens:
Wilson, R.R. and G.M. Durner. Seismic survey design and impacts to
maternal polar bear dens.
This manuscript contains scientific information, including a
methodology that may be used for evaluating the effect of future
seismic survey proposals for their potential impacts to maternal polar
bear dens. Polar bears are currently protected by both the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the
Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). When evaluating
applications for incidental take authorization under the MMPA and when
conducting section 7 consultations on proposed Federal actions under
the ESA, the Service uses the best available scientific data.
Typically, the analysis of a proposed action includes consideration of
any overlap between the proposed action and marine mammals and
threatened and endangered species, available information on the effects
of the proposed action on the species and the species' habitat, and
measures to avoid, minimize or mitigate impacts. The scientific
methodology and model contained in the manuscript, made available here,
is one piece of information being evaluated for use in such an
analysis.
It is important to note that the specific analytical approach and
inputs for any given analysis will be driven by the proposed action or
application submitted to the Service. The referenced manuscript
includes a model that was developed to analyze the spatial and temporal
overlap between a hypothetical terrestrial seismic survey and denning
polar bears. The potential use of this model should be of interest to
individuals and entities considering or monitoring activities that may
affect polar bears.
We will hold two webinars that will provide an overview of the
publication and respond to questions, Thursday, March 19, 2020, from
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Alaska Standard Time, and Friday, March 20,
2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Alaska Standard Time. Information
on electronically accessing the webinars will be posted on the
Service's Alaska Region Marine Mammals Management program website at:
https://www.fws.gov/alaska/pages/marine-mammals. We request public
comments on the value of the methodology and model in the peer-reviewed
scientific manuscript to assist in evaluating the effects of seismic
survey or other proposals for their potential impacts to maternal polar
bear dens.
Dated: February 7, 2020.
Gregory E. Siekaniec,
Regional Director, Alaska Region.
[FR Doc. 2020-03132 Filed 2-14-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
